Riesling is the finest and best know of Germany’s white varieties (22%). It is one of the world’s classic and noble grape varieties, producing what many consider to be the best white wines in the world. They have been favorites of wine connoisseurs for centuries and, today, are gaining increasing recognition for their versatility with food. They offer what today’s chefs and consumers are looking for - light, harmonious wines with sufficient body and taste for many occasions.
The Vine: Riesling is a hardy, frost-resistant grape variety. It grows in tight bunches of smallish green grapes that turn golden as they ripen in autumn. The vine is disease-resistant and a modest yielder which thrives in hospitable, steep, rocky soil as well as in fertile rolling landscapes. Its small grapes ripen late - in October or November. This long, slow ripening period allows it to develop more aroma and a harmonious balance.
Another distinguishing characteristic of Riesling is that it is a late ripener, reuiring one of the longest growing seasons of any variety. It seems ironic that the grape variety that requires the longest time to ripen should be the preeminent variety in Germany with the world’s northern most vineyards. But that is precisely the case. At the 50th parallel (as far north as Newfoundland), nature provides exactly what the Riesling demands - a long growing season that extends into late fall with a warm and dry autumn.
The true Riesling is know throughout the world primarily as “White Riesling” or “Johannisberg Riesling”, the latter because of the important role played by the famous German wine estate Schloss Johannisberg on the Rhine River in the development and recognition of the variety over the centuries. There are many imitators that have assumed the name Riesling, hoping to benefit from the true Riesling’s reputation. But Emerald Riesling, Paarl Riesling, and Welschriesling, for instance are totally unrelated to the true Riesling.
ne connoisseurs for centuries and, today, are gaining increasing recognition for their versatility with food. They offer what today’s chefs and consumers are looking for - light, harmonious wines with sufficient body and taste for many occasions.
The true Riesling is know throughout the world primarily as “White Riesling” or “Johannisberg Riesling”, the latter because of the important role played by the famous German wine estate Schloss Johannisberg on the Rhine River in the development and recognition of the variety over the centuries. There are many imitators that have assumed the name Riesling, hoping to benefit from the true Riesling’s reputation. But Emerald Riesling, Paarl Riesling, and Welschriesling, for instance are totally unrelated to the true Riesling.